Showing posts with label healthy living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy living. Show all posts

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Metabolic Renewal Phase 1


Since I reached my goal weight in 2015 I seem to have hit a brick wall on my journey. From the gallbladder attacks to increased menstrual issues my body is fighting me all the way. The scale keeps going up and I can't seem to find a way to turn things around.

Metabolic Renewal appeared in my email from a couple of people so I checked it out.  This program is designed to help women get their hormones in check through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes, some components I hadn't heard about before.

I'd seen of some programs that focus on exercising LESS rather than MORE. Metabolic Renewal has 3 HIIT workouts per week (~2 min warmup, ~15 min workout, & ~5 min burnout).  The other days are filled with your choice of light activity (i.e. walking, yoga, Pilates, swimming, etc.), anything that doesn't get your heart rate up.  Metabolic Renewal a rest based training program where you do the exercise until you can't and rest until you can, picking back up wherever they are on the video workout.



The biggest challenge for me on this program is the nutritional piece.  According to the hormones quiz I'm estrogen dominant.  Following the Metabolic Renewal Meal Plan this means I'm to only have carbs at dinner.  This is a big change for me as I normally have carbs all day long!  Also, like the keto and paleo diets, there is no dairy (although butter is allowed as a healthy fat), because of the hormones that can be introduced from milk.  I do allow myself a little dairy with my salad dressing since I haven't found any without milk/cheese that I enjoy.


Along with the physical measurements, Metabolic Renewal has you monitoring your sleep, hunger, mood, energy, and cravings (SHMEC).  My period came the second week and on top of that there have been issues with Austin and at work.  So all of that compounded into a heightened emotional state, screwing up the improvements I'd made.

It's been a tough mental challenge for me to make these kinds of changes in both what I eat and my workouts.  It's forcing me to eat veggies with every meal so I may need to introduce more of them into my diet before burning out on the ones I'm currently eating.  I've started eating eggs (for many years I couldn't even stand their smell) loaded with veggies and spices. 

Includes some of the foods I eat
So what do my breakfasts look like without carbs?

  • Smoothie: protein powder (15-25g protein, less than 6g carbs, 2g dietary fiber), chia seeds, hemp seeds, low to moderate glycemic fruit, and a green veggie.
  • 3 eggs with veggies, spices, and bee pollen.
  • Some other protein with veggies (if chicken it's half a breast).
Benny doesn't like this program because of the number of containers that have to be loaded into the dishwasher packing 10 meals for work! LOL

Have you ever done a program like this before?

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Sassy September Slimdown: Introduction




If you are looking to add lean strong muscle to your body, as well as boosting your strength, then Sassy September Slimdown is for you! This challenge is ideal for women who would like a dedicated strength and muscle building program that delivers real results. Within this challenge, you will find the key information and resources that you will need for sustainable and effective muscle building. Apply this and stay consistent to it and you will achieve great results.

Below you will find some further details on what to consider during the challenge.

Nutrition

The primary goal of the Sassy September Slimdown is to ensure you gain lean muscle mass every month. This means you do not need to gain excessive body fat with this process. 

To ensure your body only adds lean muscle, your diet will play an important factor throughout this challenge. You can do all the training in the world to add muscle to your body, but if you don’t support it via nutrition optimally, you will see poor results. 

An important aspect to get right is to understand how much you are eating on a consistent basis. Therefore, our primary goal for this challenge is to calculate how many calories you need to consume daily. We also know the importance of how your daily protein, carbohydrate and fat intake are too, so that must be calculated before starting. You will find more info on how to do this soon.  

The meal planner provided is to give you a basic structure and an ideal template to follow. Use the suggested meals from it to create great tasting food every day. You don’t need to eat every meal suggested on this plan; it’s simply a template for you to use to guide your daily decisions and choices. 

Make sure you create great tasting, varied and nutritious meals. Don’t just eat a plain chicken breast with some boring veg, spice it up and get creative with it all. You know you have got this right when you actually look forward to your meals and enjoy eating.

So, without starting out too complicated, I want you to focus on the following: 
  1. Calculate your recommended calorie and macronutrient intake
  2. Aim to be within 5% of your recommended macronutrient intake daily
  3. Use a food tracker such as www.MyFitnessPal.com to record and track 

Training

The Sassy September Slimdown has been created to optimize muscle building and strength. It is simple yet highly effective, and it’s recommended that you stick to it as closely as possible. A key component to it will be ensuring you are progressing on a weekly basis. Along with the addition of some advanced muscle building techniques, this creates the perfect muscle-building environment. 

Also to consider is your rest and recovery rate, as this is also critical to your results. You do have to train hard and heavy to add lean muscle mass, but you must also learn how to recover from this type of training too. When you can find the perfect balance between intense training and recovery, you will see the best progress. This means reducing or limiting any cardio or extra exercise as much as possible during this program. So be sure to train as hard as you can when required, and then get plenty of rest in-between. 

When it comes to the Sassy September Slimdown, quality over quantity is the motto. 

In this challenge you will also receive a training planner, which outlines an ideal template for the suggested workouts. Just like with the nutrition plan this doesn’t need to be set in stone for your success. It can and likely should be adjusted to suit your routine and schedule. 

Lifestyle

We have already put into place the most important factors for your success. So, for the mean time, I simply want you to focus on the above and make those consistent changes to your current routine. But aiming for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night and finding some time to unwind or relax daily will greatly improve your health and wellbeing too.

Participation

To participate in the Sassy September Slimdown you will need to be a member of the Brand New ME Community on Facebook.  Join today and get to know our little family ahead of the challenge.  Stick around afterwards and enjoy the support and community to help you continue on your journey to reach your health and fitness goals.


Sunday, August 13, 2017

Water: The Hidden Diet Ingredient


Water is vital for our survival but it can also be critical in helping you lose weight.  When beginning a weight loss program, many people fail to incorporate enough water into their diet, causing them to lose the benefits that water can provide.  As a result, they don’t lose as much weight as they should.

It has been said that water is a natural way to counteract hunger pains.  When you drink water, you tend to feel full faster.  It also flushes out your system, allowing your body to rid itself of harmful toxins.  Water can also boost your energy level and improve your metabolism, allowing you to consume calories more quickly.

Research indicates that hunger and thirst may be inextricably linked.  That means that at times, you may think that you’re hungry, while actually you’re thirsty.  Drinking water during those periods can help you to feel satiated without expanding your waistline.    As a result, by consuming water, you may feel less of a need to eat.

You might be wondering, however, how much water is enough.  Generally speaking, you should be drinking half of your body weight in ounces.  Check with your doctor to determine how much water is right for you.  You should also be sure to drink water when you are exercising in order to replace fluids that you lose through perspiration.


Of course, you may not enjoy the taste of water, particularly tap water.  As a result, you might consider drinking infused water, eating soup, or consuming fruits high in water content.   Water can combat high blood pressure and can decrease your cholesterol levels.  It can also be a remedy against water retention, kidney trouble, skin problems, and migraines.  It may even help to prevent cancer.

Water can also enhance your muscle tone, helping you to achieve a more clearly defined physique.  Therefore, it is particularly important that you drink a great deal of water if you enter into a strength training program.  You cannot expect your muscles to work properly if you do not hydrate them.

The temperature of your water can also make a significant difference.  It is believed that water that is cold is digested faster than water that is of a higher temperature.  In fact, water that is relatively cold in temperature can actually serve as a calorie-burner.


You may be surprised to learn that your body is comprised of nearly 70 percent water.  Therefore, water is crucial for the proper functioning of your metabolism.  Water can also help to regulate your body temperature, enabling your body to work more effectively.

Certain symptoms will emerge if you’re not consuming enough water.  For instance, you may find it difficult to concentrate.  You may also have a constant feeling of being tired.  You may be constipated or experience dry skin.  At times, you may also feel constipated and you may notice that you’re not passing as much urine as you should.

Of course, if you are not getting enough water in your diet, the remedy is simple—just turn on the tap and let it flow.  However, realistically, it can be difficult to get into the water habit.  Therefore, you might have to trick your body into drinking water.  How do you do this?  To begin with, you should consider drinking a glass of water as soon as you get up in the morning.  This will ensure that you are getting your day off to a healthy start.  Have a drink in mid-morning and another right before lunch.  If you drink a cup with lunch, you will have already had half of your daily water requirements.  Have a drink in the mid-afternoon, another at dinner, one after dinner, and one right before bed.  In this way, you will likely be getting all the water your body needs.  Try this experiment for a few weeks, and you may be amazed at the difference you see in your health and appearance.

Friday, June 30, 2017

Good Morning Snore Solution Product Review


When 3 sleep studies show the only issue you have is snoring you're on the lookout for a solution.  So of course I jumped at the opportunity to try out the Good Morning Snore Solution.  I received one appliance and storage case for free in exchange for my honest review.

Putting on the Appliance

"Snoring is frequently caused when the muscles in the back of the throat relax during sleeping and block the airway flow through the mouth.  The Good Morning Snore Solution alleviates snoring by pulling the tongue forward in the mouth and maintaining an open airway."
This explanation of the cause of snoring makes an oral appliance sound more effective than a nasal one. The Good Morning Snore Solution definitely keeps your tongue forward.

The wide part of the appliance goes in between your teeth and lips.  I have no problem getting it into position.  I have to squeeze the bulb and suck the air out several times because I almost immediately start a saliva build up during this step.  It's like my glands know something weird's going on.  Once I feel the saliva has sufficiently decreased I insert the tip of my tongue into the bulb.  This part is not one bit comfortable.  My tongue feels like it's super wide and getting mashed by my teeth.


The Good Morning Snore Solution makes me think of a pacifier with the bulb in reverse.  When sucking out the air it feels like I'm practicing for a pacifier.  It's a weird feeling.

Removing the Appliance

Removing the Good Morning Snore Solution is even more awkward than putting it on.  You gently squeeze the bulb and remove your tongue.  Every time my tongue feels a little sore from being locked into position and my mouth is super dry.  They say these side effects improve and go away over time but how long do you have to wait?

So Does it Work?

I kept waiting for Benny to say something other than laughing at the way I looked wearing the appliance.  So I had no idea whether or not the Good Morning Snore Solution was working.  I finally had to break down and ask him point blank if he heard me snoring when he came in the room (or even outside the door because you know snoring can get pretty loud).  Benny said that he has NOT heard me snoring since I started wearing the appliance.


That's what I say about using the Good Morning Snore Solution.  If I'm really not snoring wearing the appliance then I can deal with the uncomfortable part of it.

Who should NOT use this?

If you have any of these conditions they say you shouldn't use the Good Morning Snore Solution:
  • Severe Sleep Apnea (Severe only as it's a registered treatment for mild to moderate apnea.)
  • Severe Respiratory Disorders
  • Periodontal Disease
  • Under 18 (not sure why on this one)
  • Have orthodontic or other oral devices - consult with your dentist first
  • Blocked nasal passages (because you'll have to be breathing through your nose)
So if you're not experiencing any of the above go ahead and give the Good Morning Snore Solution a try.  Get comfortable being uncomfortable as it actually appears to stop snoring!  Visit their website to see the purchase options...

Good Morning Snore Solution - Because Good Nights Equal Good Mornings.


Tuesday, May 30, 2017

How Hormones Affect Your Energy and Weight


Are willpower and self-control the real solution to low energy and high weight?

Maybe not.  It might be your powerful hormones.

And we’re not just talking about sex hormones here; we’re talking about the hormones that directly affect your blood sugar, metabolism, and appetite. Things that control your energy and weight.

Let’s go over a few of the critical links between your hormones, and how they affect your energy and weight. The links may be stronger than you think.

What are hormones?


Having healthy, happy hormones is all around the “health waves” these days.

And for good reason! Your hormones are part of the master control system of your entire body.
Hormones are compounds made by one part of the body that are used to communicate with another part. For example, insulin is made in the pancreas. When your blood sugar gets too high, insulin is released into the bloodstream. Then, it goes to your muscles and other cells to tell them to absorb that sugar out of the blood (and if there is still too much blood sugar, it signals to store it as fat).

Your hormones control not only your blood sugar, but also your metabolism and appetite (plus a host of other things). And you probably know that having healthy blood sugar, metabolism and appetite is a foundation for your optimal energy and weight.

So, how can your hormones get out of whack to zap your energy and pile up the pounds?

Common Hormonal Imbalances


In optimal health, your hormones would work great, and you’d have ample energy and be a good healthy weight.

But often there are problems with this whole setup. One common issue is that there may be too much or too little hormone released to have the desired effect. This is known as hypo- or hyper- “hormone” (i.e. hypo- or hyperthyroidism).

Another common issue is that, even if the right amount of hormone is released, the cells they communicate with can start ignoring them. This is known as hormone “resistance” (i.e. insulin resistance).

As you can imagine, if your hormones have such critical jobs, including controlling blood sugar, metabolism and appetite, they can cause issues with your energy and weight.

Hormones & Energy


Your metabolism is key for controlling your energy. Metabolism itself is basically how much energy (calories) you burn. One of the main players of this is...you guessed it! Your thyroid hormones.

Your thyroid releases hormones that affect the metabolism of all the cells in your body. If it’s too low and your metabolism goes down (hypothyroid), you may feel cold, hungry and tired. If it’s too high and your metabolism is too fast (hyperthyroid), you may feel hot, jittery and lose weight.

What you want is an ideal metabolism, ideal energy use, ideal temperature, and an ideal weight. Your thyroid hormones are the master controller here.

Hormones & Weight


Your weight may be controlled by hormones more than you think! Insulin controls your blood sugar, and whether that sugar is going to be stored as fat or not. And when your blood sugar is too low, you may start craving sugar and carbs.

You also have hormones that control your appetite! How hungry and how full you feel are controlled by the hormones ghrelin & leptin. When those get out of whack, you may find yourself wanting to eat because your body thinks you’re hungry and not satisfied...even if that’s not true.

And craving food (especially sugary ones) and not feeling full are going to be huge drives for you to eat more. Even if your body doesn’t truly need it, the hormonal signals tell you that you do.
And don’t forget that stress hormone cortisol. When it’s too high for too long, it tells your body to store fat. And not just any fat - belly fat!

What You Can Do


Your body is very complex and uses hormones to control a substantial number of functions. They control your blood sugar, metabolism, and appetite, among others. And these directly affect how much energy you feel, how much you weigh, and even where your body fat is stored.


Here are a few “hormone stabilizing” tips that might help you with your energy and weight:
  • Get regular exercise to use up excess blood sugar before your insulin has your body store it as fat
  • Try stress-relieving activities like deep breathing, meditation or even coloring to reduce your (belly-fat inducing) cortisol
  • Support your thyroid with iodine-containing sea vegetables, fish, legumes, or even an egg
  • Balance your blood sugar with extra fiber from raspberries, avocados, or flax seeds
  • Reduce blood sugar spikes by replacing your juice or soda with fruit-infused water
If you need some support with your energy levels and/or weight, contact me (your wellness coach) for a free strategy session to see how I can help you.


REFERENCES

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/fast-weight-loss-changes-hunger-hormones
http://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-thyroid
https://authoritynutrition.com/9-fixes-for-weight-hormones/

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Get Unstuck for Mother’s Day


This is for you, Moms.  In fact, whether you are a mom or not, this is for all the women out there who feel trapped in a cycle of, “One day, I am going to eat healthy, lose weight and really take care of myself.”

It’s time to get unstuck, and I'm here to help.


I know that it is hard to find time to focus on you.  And when you finally do take some time for yourself, you probably have a vague sense of guilt that there are other things more worthy of whatever effort or sacrifice you are making to work on you.

That’s part of being a mom.  You put others first.

But consider this.  Neglecting yourself is not good for you or those people who depend on you. The only way you can keep attending to your many responsibilities and joys is if your health is optimal. Once your health starts declining, you will have no choice but to focus on yourself.

Wouldn’t you rather do it now and know what it feels like to be fit and full of energy and still be there for those people who depend on you?


It’s hard to start


Yes, starting is hard.  In fact, it is probably the hardest part.

It may be hard because you’ve ‘started’ before and failed.  That doesn’t matter anymore.  You are not doing it alone this time.  I'm here to walk with you every step of the way.  We’re looking forward, not backward.



It may be hard because you have no idea where you will find the time to exercise.  I’ll help you with that too.  That’s what I do.


It may be hard because changing life-long patterns of eating seems completely undesirable right now.  I’ve been there.  And believe me; if some of us can do it, you can too.  The amazing thing is that once you get a taste of the energy and vitality that eating well brings, you won’t look back.


Waiting is dangerous


Listen.  The longer you wait to take your health seriously, the more damage you are doing to your body.

There is only one way to slow down, stop and reverse many of the effects of aging (whether you are 20 or 70 years old):  sensible eating and consistent exercise.  (Well, that’s two, but they have to happen together.)

  • Do you want to avoid the ravages of heart disease (the number one killer of women)?
  • Would you like to never experience the pain of a fractured, osteoporotic bone?
  • Do lowering your blood pressure, strengthening your knees and reducing aches and pains sound attractive to you?
  • Would you like to run a marathon (even if you’re 60!)?



It’s Yours


You’ve dreamed about it long enough.


Make this Mother’s Day the beginning of a new chapter in your life.  Thousands of women just like you are doing it.  And I want to help you do it.

Be strong, vibrant, fit and full of energy.


It’s time to start.  Apply today for your FREE Wellness Strategy Session. I’ll get you unstuck and feeling better than you ever have.





Monday, April 17, 2017

How to Lose Weight with Kettlebells


Kettlebell training has many different advantages and lets you train your body from different angles and in a far more functional range of motion.  But what’s great about the kettlebell is how versatile it is as a tool and how it allows you to develop your fitness and health in numerous ways.

If you want to build bodybuilder-type muscle, then you can do so by using single joint isolation movements and heavy resistance.  This will create muscle fiber tears, flood your muscles with metabolites and generally help you to encourage more growth.  At the same time though, you can also use a kettlebell to lose weight and it happens to be particularly well suited to that goal.  Let’s look at how you might do that.

The Exercises


The great thing about the kettlebell is that it allows you to perform resistance cardio.  This means you are doing cardiovascular training that increases your heart rate and helps you to burn fat.  At the same time though, you are also lifting weight, which protects your muscle from breakdown and increases the challenge, thereby increasing the amount of calories burned and the amount of effort involved.  The kettlebell also allows you to train on the spot and without a lot of tools. Unlike running, you can enjoy kettlebell training anywhere and anytime.

To get the very most of this, you can combine the kettlebell with the HIIT modality.  HIIT is ‘high intensity interval training’ – a form of exercise that challenges you to alternate between brief bursts of high intensity exertion and shorter periods of relatively steady-state exercise.  For example, you might perform the kettlebell swing for 1 minute and then rest for 30 seconds before going again.  The kettlebell swing is an ideal movement for resistance cardio that involves swinging the kettlebell between your legs and then straight back up in the air using a slight hip thrust movement to provide the forward momentum.


The Diet


To lose weight, kettlebell training must be combined with the right type of diet, one that is relatively low in calories.  The objective is to burn more calories in a day than you consume.  So, if you normally burn 2,000 calories and consume 2,200 calories, you can increase that burn to 2,400 doing kettlebell training and you can then reduce the amount you eat to 2,100 calories.  Now you’re losing 300 calories every day!

Try to eat more protein and you will support more muscle growth while reducing fat storage.  Combine this with 4 workouts a week, lasting about 20 minutes each, and you should start to see the results you’re looking for using just this one tool and one movement.

Remember though, weight loss is only achievable if you change your entire lifestyle and habits.  It is not enough to simply add in an exercise and forget about it!  Walk more, spend less time in front of the TV and reduce unhealthy snacks.


Monday, April 3, 2017

Do What Makes You Laugh


Laughter can be infectious. When you hear the sound of laughter, you can’t help but laugh yourself. When laughter is shared among others, it causes a binding between people and increases both intimacy and happiness.

It’s well known that laughter triggers healthy bodily changes and healthy changes in the mind. Laughter can increase your energy level, lessen pain, strengthen the immune system, and protect you from stress. Laughter is the best medicine because it is free, fun, and easy.

Laughter is Strong Medicine


Laughter can be a strong antidote to conflict, pain, and stress. There is nothing else that works more dependably or quicker to bring your body and mind into balance than laughter. The use of humor can lighten your burdens, connect you to others, inspire your hope, and keep you focused, alert, and grounded.

With this ability to renew your health and heal you, laughter can be a great resource for whatever problems you may have. It can also strengthen your relationships, and can support your emotional and physical health and wellbeing.

How is Laughter Good for Your Health?


Laughter can do many things for your health. These include the following:

  • Laughter can boost your immune system. It can decrease the level of stress hormones within the body and increase the number of immune cells and antibodies you have, which will help you become more resistant to disease.
  • Laughter is relaxing. A wonderful laugh can relieve you of stress and physical tension so that your muscles can be relaxed for up to 45 minutes following laughing.
  • Laughter releases endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s feel-good hormones. When your endogenous endorphins are released, you feel a sense of well-being and a reduction in the sensation of pain.
  • Laughter can help the heart. Laughter can increase the ability of the blood vessels to nourish all parts of the body. It can increase your blood flow, which in turn can help prevent heart attacks and other types of heart diseases. 

The Overall Benefits of Laughter


Laughter is known to have many health benefits, including physical, emotional, and social benefits. Some of these include the following:

  • Decreases your stress levels
  • Increases your immunity
  • Relaxes your muscles
  • Protects your heart
  • Lessens pain
  • Lessens fear and anxiety
  • Relieves stress
  • Adds joy to your life
  • Enhances your mood
  • Improves your resilience
  • Attracts other people to us
  • Promotes the bonding among group members
  • Improves teamwork
  • Strengthens relationships

Emotional Health


Laughter simply makes a person feel good. This good feeling persists even when you are done laughing. Laughter helps you maintain an optimistic, positive outlook so you can better get through situations of loss, disappointments, and other difficult situations.

Laughter is more than just a protection against pain and sadness. It gives you the strength and courage to find other sources of hope and meaning. Even when you find yourself in the most difficult of times, laughter or even a smile can take you far when it comes to feeling better. Laugher really is a bit contagious. When you hear someone else laugh, it primes your brain and sets you up to join that person in laughing, too.

Mental Health


Laughter is associated with better mental health. Some things laughter can do to improve your mental health include the following:
  • Laughter allows you to relax. A good laugh can lessen stress and increase your energy levels so that you can remain focused and get more things accomplished.
  • Laughter can lessen distress. It is hard to feel sad, anxious, or angry when you are instead laughing. 
  • Laughter shifts your perspective. It allows you to see things in a less threatening and more realistic light. Being humorous helps create a psychological distance between you and stressful events so that you don’t feel so overwhelmed.

Social Benefits


When you use humor and engage in playful communication with others, your relationships become stronger and you trigger positive emotions and an emotional connection with those you are laughing with. A positive bond develops—one that can act as a powerful buffer against disappointment, disagreements, and stress. When you laugh with others, this is a more powerful thing than when you laugh alone.

How to Create More Opportunities to Laugh


What do you enjoy doing to increase your chances of laughing? Here are some you might try:
  • Attend a comedy club
  • Watch something funny on television
  • Watch videos of funny animals on YouTube
  • Read the comics in the newspaper
  • Be with people who are funny
  • Share a funny story or joke with another
  • Read a funny book
  • Sponsor a game night with your friends
  • Play with your pet
  • Play with children
  • Do something you think is silly
  • Engage in activities you consider fun
Laughter can do a lot to help you feel better on a physical, emotional, and cognitive level. Don’t be afraid to share a good laugh with others for all around better health.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

5 Natural Ways To Improve Your Sleep


Getting a good night’s sleep can be refreshing and rejuvenating. For millions, though, a good night’s sleep seems just out of reach. People of all ages across the globe suffer from occasional to chronic insomnia.

Insomnia is a condition that interrupts your ability to fall asleep or stay asleep. If you are suffering from this sleep disturbance, you may be hesitant to turn to harsh medications to help you fall asleep.

Here are 5 ways that you can help improve your sleep naturally.

Reduce the Caffeine


The morning cup of coffee seems to be a staple beverage for many people. However, caffeine is not just in coffee. Caffeine can be hiding in the soda you drink, the tea, and even some of the foods you eat. While eliminating caffeine out of your diet 100% may not be possible, try to limit your consumption of caffeine to the mornings only. Prevention Magazine tells us that ingesting caffeine, even 6 hours before bedtime, can disrupt sleep.

Exercise


Not only does exercise help you maintain a healthy body weight and better mental outlook but a Sleep Foundation study found that those who exercised were less sleepy during the day and slept better at night. While a new exercise routine may leave you a little tired at first, regular exercise will give you more energy and help you fall asleep at bedtime. This may have to do with the chemicals released by the body when you exercise. The neurotransmitters released by the brain during exercise have all sorts of beneficial properties and improved sleep is one of them.

Meditate


Meditation has a restorative effect on the brain. There are all sorts of benefits that meditation can have for a person. Many of the benefits of meditation include reduced stress and a better ability to cope with difficult issues in one’s life. Meditation is also great for insomnia. A Harvard study found that mindful meditation helped combat insomnia. It invokes a relaxation response in those who participate helping them relax enough to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep through the night. If you are not familiar with how to meditate there are many guided meditation audio programs that you can buy or check out from your library.


Sleep Hygiene


Sleep hygiene is a practice to help you sleep better at night. It has to do with environmental cues. Alaska sleep notes that these environmental cues should be taken into consideration if you aren’t sleeping.
  • Use the bedroom for sex and sleep only
  • No electronics
  • Keep the room dark and quiet
  • Keep your room cool
  • Have a good mattress
  • Set your alarm clock away from your bed
  • Get Up Every Morning
Getting up at the same time every day and avoiding naps helps your body follow a circadian rhythm. According to Verywell we need this to sleep well at night. There are two really important elements to this step.
  1. Stop hitting the snooze and train yourself to get up at the same time every day. If you hit the snooze button once or twice (or 6 times), you are not really training yourself to get up at the same time every day. If you know you do not need to get up until 7:30, stop setting your alarm for 7. Save yourself the 30 minutes of interrupted sleep and set the alarm for 7:30, get up the first time it goes off.
  2. NO NAPS. If you are not used to getting up in the morning, then this may be the hard part for you. Napping can throw you off for sleeping at night because you simply are not tired enough to get to bed on time. Skip the nap (and the caffeine), and stay up so that you can get a good nights sleep. 
Now you have an arsenal of information that should help you fall asleep faster at night. Remember, finding what works well for you may take some playing around. So, if you don’t get it right the first night or two don’t give up. These sleep strategies are proven to work. They just take time. Give them a few weeks and you should be sleeping soundly.

Monday, March 27, 2017

10 Ways Exercise Boosts Your Self Confidence


All of us want to feel good about ourselves. When we are confident, we feel better emotionally and mentally and this reflects in a very positive way in our behaviors, and improves our quality of life, everything from personal relationships to our professional endeavors.

Therefore, anything, which can help boost our self-confidence, is good for us. One of the best ways to boost your self-confidence is by exercising regularly. This not only good for self-assurance but has great health benefits.

So how can exercise boost self-confidence? Let me count the ways...
  • Weight Control. Exercising along with healthy eating is the best way to control or lose weight. This is all about energy intake and energy burning. Obviously, if you burn more energy than you take in then you will lose weight. Being overweight can be a confidence destroyer. Therefore the better shape you are, the better you will feel.

  • Improves mood. There's nothing better emotionally than a good workout. Before you think that this requires a trip to the gym, think again. A good workout could be a brisk walk, or a jog. In fact, anything that makes your body work physically harder can be a workout. What this does is to stimulate brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, which promote a general feeling of well-being. The results are a reduction in stress and anxiety.

  • It's good for the heart. Regular exercising lowers the risk of various heart-related conditions. Exercising has been proven to lower blood pressure, reduce problems associated with diabetes and can even help in fighting heart disease. This is quite logical – if exercising reduces weight, then this means that the heart has to work less and in turn, the heart is much healthier. There is also less pressure on joints and other areas of the body.

  • Keeps the body in shape. This is slightly different from weight control. Being is shape involves having a well-toned body and better posture – all aspects connected with self-confidence. When a person feels good about himself, it's easier to make friends and more connections in life means more confidence.

  • More energy. If we don't have the energy to do things, then everything becomes a chore. That can lead to feelings of feeling bad about oneself. Regular exercise helps the whole body work more effectively. The result is that chores become responsibilities and the more responsibility we are coping with, the better we feel.

  • Better sleep. Regular exercise promotes good sleep. It is proven that sleep is necessary for general feelings of well-being. Sleep is also necessary for how we look. Just imagine preparing for an important meeting and looking in the mirror and seeing dark circles under bloodshot eyes – how confident will you feel? Therefore, exercising will improve sleep. One word of warning – just don't exercise too near bedtime.

  • Improves productivity. One of the best ways to clear the mind is to exercise regularly. Exercise gives you a chance to wipe the slate clean and start from new. In addition, if you push yourself exercising you can realize new potentials and this in turn boosts self-confidence. Very often, what you thought was a major problem before exercising disappears after.

  • Give you something to look forward to. Once you have a reasonable schedule for exercising, you will start to look forward to it. This in itself is a confidence booster. Once you start seeing the benefits of exercising, you will have the desire to continue and in the end, you feel better and look better.

  • Improves concentration. In general exercising helps us to develop the necessary skills to concentrate on the task in hand. This then trains us better when we have tasks or responsibilities to concentrate better, resulting in more praise and benefits.

  • Feelings of control and achievement. In general, exercising has so many benefits to health and mind that we can't help having a feeling of control and achievement. Working out takes work, dedication, commitment, and care for oneself, and all this facilitates enormous feelings of confidence.

Don’t Wait! Get Started Today!

Try incorporating regular exercising into your routine and you will experience the many benefits to your self-confidence that regular exercising gives.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Reflections of 2016


I don't know about you but this year flew by fast!  So much went on around the world it's hard to think what to cover in this post....

2016 in Review

 

Accomplishments

  • Group Exercise Instructor and Wellness Coach certifications
  • Soft launch of the Brand New Me Wellness Coaching Programs
  • Announcing the launch of Fit Indy Parties 
  • Hired on at the Baxter YMCA as a Wellness Coach on Wednesday nights (stop by and say hi!)
  • Purchased a tablet and laptop
  • Enjoyed Fitbloggin'
  • Walked in The Great Pumpkin Run

Challenges

  • Finding the elusive first paying client (the only goal I did NOT accomplish this year)
  • Gaining back ~30 lbs
  • Making the decision to quit Beachbody since I had no clients 

 

Looking Ahead to 2017

 

Theme

For 2017 my focus is on relationships.  According to Jennifer Dunham's Happiness Quiz I crave improved relationships, with both family and friends.  There are two aspects of this for me.
  1. Heart Happiness (aka romantic love):  Greater relationship satisfaction, feeling Benny is there for me.
  2. Family/Friend Happiness:  The fundamental need to belong.
Relationships with potential and actual clients will also come into play.

Goals

 

Business

I shared my main business goals on Instagram during The Recharge Challenge.


To work on these goals I could use your help.  Please share this little video clip with your networks.
Now that the presents are bought for everyone else it's time to invest in something for yourself. I'm looking for 5 women in the US aged 40-60, who are looking to kick off the new year on a journey to discover their brand new healthier selves. 

Please complete this form to schedule a Wellness Strategy Session.  Together we can find your path through exercise, healthy eating, personal development, and self care.

Personal

At my physical earlier this month my doctor said he's OK with my weight being up but my clothes are too tight.  So one of my goals is to lose the ~30 lbs I've gained back.

As you may or may not know Benny doesn't work and hasn't since he came here from Germany to marry me.  He tried to run a flea market type shop early on in the marriage but that failed miserably.  He has not tried to work or find employment since and, as far as I can tell, has no legitimate reason why.  On top of that Benny's not supportive of this whole coaching business, thinking it's a fad and not my passion/purpose, telling me I have to quit.  This has created much tension that occasionally bubbles to the surface, greatly decreasing my heart happiness.

Normally for improving heart happiness Jennifer recommends things like
  • Hug your spouse when they get home every day.
  • Go to bed together each night at the same time, even if you aren’t tired.
  • Set aside 10 minutes each day to simply sit and have a conversation with your spouse.
  • When you feel angry at your partner, practice the habit of breathing and counting to 10 before speaking. 
  • Actively replace critical comments with supportive, loving words.

Some of the things she has recommended for me:
  • Start happy every morning.  What the heck does this mean?  Starting out your day with a positive attitude sets the tone of the rest of your day.  So while you brush your teeth or shower, set your intention for the day.
  • Create a safety net.  A safety net is used so you can bounce back faster when negativity or difficult situations arise throughout your day.  I call this your “Recovery Plan”.  You can re-program negative thoughts by actively thinking ahead of time of how you will react. 
    By reacting differently to and handling the situation with your planned reaction it will deflate the situation before it turns negative. So plan ahead to all the things your hubby might say when you ask him to do something and attempt a different reaction.
  • Learn a new language.  I don’t mean that you will literally go learn German, Spanish, or Russian.  The language you need to learn is what you tell yourself.  Nine times out of ten, we tell ourselves things that just aren’t true.  We only speak them to ourselves because it’s been a habit for too long.
  • Every night, while you brush your teeth or put your PJs on, practice appreciation.  While writing down gratitude or appreciation is suggested, it’s not necessary.  So long as you make it part of your happiness practice as part of your nightly routine, you will end happy.
  • Plan 1x per month do a day trip 

Family & Friends Happiness is the necessity for people to belong and feel happy together. We don't have any local friends to hang out with since the Bible study I was involved in disbanded.  I did sign up for my first book club but am waiting to find out where it'll be held before I commit.

Examples of what to do to improve family & friends happiness:

  • Leave a note for a loved one to surprise them each week.
  • Smile and give direct eye contact when talking to your family and friends.
  • Make a habit of thanking someone with a hand written card as soon as possible after they give you a gift or do something for you.
  • Choose to stay in regular contact with your family/friends and to see them frequently. 
  • Create special traditions that involve your friends or include them in family

How was 2016 for you?  What are some of your goals for 2017?


Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Holiday Gift Guide for Fitpreneurs




Fitpreneur n A person who is growing or has grown a business out of their passion for healthy living, fitness, and/or wellness. 


If there's a Fitpreneur in your life you might want to create a gift basket for the holidays.  This allows you the freedom of choosing any items you want for the basket instead of just buying a single gift.  Here are some different items that are $50 or less you can include in a gift basket.


General Fitness Gifts


Cooling Towel


When someone goes to workout, they usually need to bring along a towel. They will need a towel at home, on a hike or a long walk, and when going to the gym. You can provide them with a new towel that is soft, absorbing, and even cooling. There are some excellent towels out there made from microfiber that also contain cooling fibers to help them cool off if getting hot and sweaty from their workout. It is an excellent addition to any fitness gift basket.

Gift Cards



Remember when you are putting together a gift basket, there is nothing wrong with including some relevant gift cards or gift certificates. These can each be a smaller dollar amount, such as one for a local spa where they can get a massage after a marathon, or to local sports supply stores where they might want to buy fitness equipment. You can also get a gift card to a local fitness store that sells clothing, supplements, and protein powder.


Armband



Fitpreneurs that do outdoor workouts, such as hiking, running, or cycling, might need a good way to carry personal items. An armband really is a great purchase. There are now armbands that can hold smaller items they might need, but don’t want to keep in their pockets, such as a cellphone, ear buds, credit card, ID, and some cash. They can also put their house or car key inside the arm band and always have it right there.


Blender/Shaker Bottle



If your Fitpreneur often drinks protein shakes, then they will love getting a blender/shaker bottle in their gift basket. These bottles have a small blending blade or ball inside, so that they can add the powder, water, and other ingredients right to the bottle, close the lid, and shake it up. The blades and balls will blend up the ingredients without using electricity or having to use their home blender. It is so easy, perfect for travel, and small enough to fit in a gift basket with other items.




Gifts for Hikers


Collapsible Water Bottle



Hikers need to drink plenty of water when they are out, but they can’t always bring big bulky water bottles that are going to add extra weight to their pack. A better option is to get a collapsible water bottle. These bottles are really lightweight, BPA-free, and better for the environment. As long as the hiker also has something with them to get clean water from lakes and streams, they can add the clean water to the collapsible water bottle. When they are done with it, it folds up and fits easily into their pack without added weight.


Hiking Bell



For Fitpreneurs that hike in mountains and heavily forested areas, one of the main dangers is bears and other wildlife. You might want to include some safety items in their hiking gift basket, such as a bell. These are bells that have a unique sound to scare off bears specifically, one of the more serious wildlife dangers to a hiker who is out without protection. The bell can be put in their pack or on a string around their neck so that it is available in a hurry.


Foldable Wine Bottle



Not only are there collapsible water bottles, but the same thing with wine bottles. If your Fitpreneur is someone that likes more casual hikes just to catch the scenery, they might decide to set up picnic with a loved one or close friend. The foldable wine bottle lets them pour wine into this bottle, bring it on the hike, then fold up the bottle when they are done and put it in their pack. When the hike is over, they are saving some weight in the pack, which is always welcomed.


Backpack



You can get a really good quality hiking backpack for the gift basket to put all of the different items in. This turns the ‘gift basket’ into one where items are actually in the backpack itself. The recipient now has a fun gift that shows you understand what their interests are, and they also have a new hiking backpack to try out. Plus, these are large bags so you can fit quite a few items inside.


Gifts for Runners


Massage Items



One thing most runners have in common is having sore and tired muscles. Whether this gift basket is for someone who regularly runs marathons or they just started a new running workout routine, they are going to have quite a bit of body soreness. There are a few different types of massage gifts you can put in the gift basket. The first is to simply get them a gift certificate to a local massage place you know they like to go to, or something like SpaFinder.com where it works for different spas. Another option is to add items they can use for home massages, such as muscle rub or a handheld massager for their neck and back.


Ear Buds & Headphone Accessories



Your Fitpreneur who is a runner probably likes to listen to music or another type of audio while running, such as an audio book or podcast. The problem is that regular headphones or ear buds fall out once they start running fast. You can include some ear buds meant specifically for the active lifestyle, which have a unique design to remain inside the ear and wrap around the ear to be held into place. With these, you can also include some other audio accessories, such as an armband that holds the phone in place.


Running Belt



Something every runner should have is a high-quality running belt. These are definitely gaining in popularity more recently as people want to carry more with them while they run, such as their cell phone and other accessories. You don’t want to go running with your car keys and wallet in your pocket, but putting these small items in a running belt definitely helps. It isn’t like a big bulky fanny pack that slides around and bounces up and down while running. Running belts are designed to remain in place, be lightweight, and not get in the way of the run.



Glow-in-the-Dark Accessories



For someone running at night, the main danger is that others can’t see them. Aside from wearing reflective clothing, they should also wear something on their body that glows. A good idea is to include some LED armbands that will glow in the dark. These are lightweight and just go around their ankles or wrists, making it so others on the road can see them running at night.




Gifts for Swimmers


Shampoo



This might seem like a weird item to put in a gift basket, but it is actually really helpful to a swimmer! They often need to wash the chlorine out of their hair, so by adding a chlorine-removal shampoo to the basket along with other things, you are saving them a small purchase and an extra trip to the store. This can turn into a swimming basics gift basket with things like water-resistant sunscreen, towel, flip flops, and other swimming essentials.


Swim Bag



For the basket itself, consider instead using a swim bag to put items in. Not only will it be large enough to fit all kinds of swimming essentials and gifts inside, but the bag itself doubles as an extra gift. Plus, when you use an actual swim bag as the basket for a gift basket, you know what items are going to fit inside, so they make good gifts for a swimmer.


Underwater Camera



This is another excellent idea for a Fitpreneur who swims, particularly people who also like to swim for fun. If you know someone who swims in the ocean or swimming pools, they might want to bring along a camera for underwater selfies and to take pictures of fish when swimming in the ocean. There are plenty of disposable cameras that are waterproof and can go under the water. You can also get a digital camera or case for a camera that can handle water. Plus, some Go Pro and similar devices have waterproof cases.


Custom Towel



Another thing every swimmer needs is a really good towel. You can include a towel in the gift basket, but instead of just choosing any generic towel, buy a really high-quality one and personalize it. Choose an oversized, soft, and plush towel that will get them dry but also be warm if it is cold when they get out of the pool. You can personalize it with anything from pictures to their name or even a quote they are often repeating. There are a lot of different directions you can go here.



Gifts for Pilates Pals


Socks



Start out your gift basket by including something every Pilates enthusiast needs; sticky socks! These are often used by people who do Pilates and yoga, as well as any other floor work exercises. Since Pilates is usually done on hard floors or tile, it gets slippery. This can make it difficult for them to gain their composure, causing them to slide around when trying to focus on a movement. With the socks, they keep their feet warm, but they also have sticky bottoms so their feet grip the bottom of the ground a little better. They are usually inexpensive so a good option for gift basket.


Back Bag



Your Fitpreneur that likes Pilates might not do the workouts at home, but actually head to a local gym that has classes or a Pilates studio. This means they need a good way to bring their mat and other items needed for the class. Instead of getting them a gym bag, you can get them a back bag. This type of bag fits better with the natural curvature of the spine, so it keeps strain from their back and shoulders. Instead of putting the items into a basket, you can actually put all the little gifts inside the bag for the ‘gift basket’.


Clothing



If the Pilates gift basket is for a Fitpreneur you are close to and you know their size, some clothing is a great option for the gift. It gets expensive when you keep buying new pants, shirts, and other clothing items, so if you can help them out, that’s great! Even simple items like yoga pants or tank tops are really good. Just remember with the tops that they move around a lot, so get criss-cross straps that won’t keep falling down.


Foam Roller



This is a type of roller that is often used in Pilates classes. You can usually find the foam rollers in fitness sections of most retailers, especially those that sell yoga or Pilates accessories. Foam rollers are moderately-priced and should fit into a larger basket or inside a Pilates bag if that is what you are using as a basket.




Gifts for Yogis


Yoga Mat



Naturally, one of the best gifts you can include in your gift basket is a yoga mat. However, if your Fitpreneur participates in yoga on a regular basis, they probably already have a yoga mat. Instead of just choosing a generic one, try to make it special. One way is to have one personalized, such as with one of their favorite images, or by personalizing it with their name or a saying they often repeat. Another option is to get them a travel yoga mat, which is great for when they are traveling.


Sling Sandals



An item that tends to be popular for people who enjoy yoga and sling sandals, often referred to as yoga mat sandals. These aren’t just any style of sling sandals, but labeled for yoga because they are actually made from the same material that yoga mats are made from. People can walk around in these sandals and feel the support and comfort of a yoga mat underneath their feet at all times. It is an excellent gift to include.


Headband



Another thing that yogis often need are headbands, and they can never have too many of them, so no need to worry if they already have one. You want to look for a soft and stretchy fabric headband that he or she can wear on their head to keep hair out of their eyes and sweet away from their face while doing yoga. There are a lot of great ones out there, from solid colors to vibrant patterns. You can get one really nice one or add a few of them into the gift basket with some other small items.


Clothing



As far as yoga clothes go, there are a few things you can buy for a Fitpreneur and include them in the gift basket. You might not buy yoga pants since you don’t know their exact size, but it is usually easy to find a sweater that would be their size. Choose a loose-fitting and flowing sweater they can wear over their yoga clothes when heading into class.




Gluten Free Gifts



It can be hard following a gluten-free lifestyle, especially when so many holiday gifts are filled with treats that person is unable to eat. When your Fitpreneur is gluten-free, it helps to create a gluten-free basket with things they can actually use or consume for this type of lifestyle.


Pasta & Sauce



One good idea for a gift basket for a gluten-free Fitpreneur is to put together an entire meal for them. This can be the theme of the basket, where you provide a box of gluten-free pasta, some gluten-free pastasauce, and even bread or rolls that you made yourself and also don’t contain any gluten. You can stop there or add in a bottle of wine or other beverage without any gluten in it, some plates and cutlery, and wine glasses of course. It is a really fun and unique idea.


Reusable Food Containers



Something most gluten-free individuals have in common is that they have to cook more meals at home. This often means being left with leftovers and wanting to prepare meals ahead of time for lunches and traveling snacks. Reusable food containers really come in handy, whether making lunch for the next week or just putting away leftovers and having the meal another night of the week. You can get an entire set for a big gift basket or just throw a few small ones in that they can use.


Cookbook



For someone who might be new to the gluten-free lifestyle and was just diagnosed with gluten sensitivity or allergies, you can get them a cookbook. They might not know much about this diet or what they can have, so get a cookbook or two and add it to the gift basket. It is not only a fun gift, but practical and helpful as well.


Loaf Pan



Another thing that people on the gluten-free diet have in common is often making their own bread. Most store-bought bread contains gluten from wheat and other grains, and the gluten-free bread is limited and doesn’t always taste great. They might be making their own sandwich bread and other bread at home, which requires the use of a loaf pan.


Food Delivery Service



You can get your Fitpreneur a membership to a delivery service that offers a gluten-free menu, or just give them a gift certificate for one so they can choose the service they prefer. This is good when the recipient has a night where they don’t want to cook and aren’t sure what to do about a gluten-free meal.




Low Carb Gifts


Putting together a gift basket with low-carb goodies is the perfect gift for a Fitpreneur who follows this type of lifestyle. The holidays can be difficult because a lot of gift baskets and stocking stuffers contain chocolate and other treats that someone on a low-carb diet is not supposed to have. 


Don’t forget to add some low-carb goodies to the basket, whether they are store-bought or homemade. Put in some beef sticks and cheese, or make them sweet treats that are also low in carbohydrates.


Fruit Preserves



When a Fitpreneur is on a low-carb diet, it is not quite as limited as some of the other diets, like paleo or keto, but it does require watching their carbohydrate intake. A good option for a treat that is low in carbs but also delicious is to provide them with some homemade fruit preserves. You just don’t want to use sugar or artificial sweetener when making it to make it healthier, but instead rely on the natural sweetness from the fruit itself. Jam and preserves is great on some low-carb biscuits, which you can also make for the basket.


Bakeware



If your Fitpreneur is fairly new to the low-carb diet, then they might not have everything they need in the kitchen in order to make homemade meals. You can help out by putting a large gift basket together with tools, cookware, and smaller gadgets that can be used for preparing meals. A good option is to get some smaller bakeware items and put them in the basket. The silicone bakeware is great because it is flexible, lightweight, and easy to use. If they want to make healthy low-carb donuts, a silicone donut baking pan is an excellent product for the gift basket.


Immersion Blender



Another small appliance that your low-carb Fitpreneur might like added to their gift basket is an immersion blender. This is a small, handheld blender that does a lot of the same work a blender and food processor can do. Plus, it is lightweight and very easy to travel with. If they don’t have a large kitchen and no room for a big food processor, then the immersion blender will be perfect. Think about some foods that someone on a low-carb diet might want to make, such as their own mayonnaise or salad dressing. The immersion blender is perfect for these types of things.




Paleo Friendly Gifts


When someone is on the paleo diet, it can help to give them cooking accessories, tools, and even food items that they are able to eat. One option is to put together a gift basket for them that includes items they could use and/or eat. 

 

Fun Cooking Tools



If your Fitpreneur is following the paleo lifestyle, they are probably doing a lot more cooking. With the paleo diet, it requires avoiding pre-packaged, processed, and fast foods, and trying to eat clean and whole foods as much as possible. This allows them to know exactly what is in their food and be sure they are sticking to the paleo lifestyle. With this comes a need for cooking tools. You can always add some fun and colorful cooking tools to their gift basket, such as the brightly-colored silicone tools that are becoming very popular.


Prepared or Homemade Treats



Since it is a holiday gift basket, they might be missing out on treats others are enjoying during the Christmas season. You can provide them with some treats you either made yourself or that you purchased. You just need to look up the rules of the paleo diet so you know which ones they can have. Many foods will now say if they are paleo-friendly, or you can find some recipes online. For example, you can prepare some candied nuts that don’t contain sugar, but are made with healthier ingredients.


Seasonings



Another good addition for the gift basket is a pack of seasonings. Since the paleo diet relies on a lot of meat and vegetables, try to choose some seasonings that will work for these types of meals. This might include chili seasonings, jerk chicken seasonings, or different types of Italian or spicy seasoning blends. It allows them to have blends of seasonings that work with different types of foods, whether roasting vegetables or making steak.





Selection of Nuts



A really popular snack for paleo Fitpreneurs to enjoy is nuts, provided they aren't allergic. They are allowed on this diet, healthy, high in protein, and low in fat. Nuts are also great as travel snacks, so if someone you know travels often and is also on the paleo diet, this can be perfect. Put together a nice mix of nuts, such as cashews, walnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, and pecans. Most on this diet leave out regular peanuts, so decide against those.


Whole 30 Gifts


Baked Goods




The first thing you can include in a Whole30 gift basket is some type of baked goodies or treats you have prepared. Try to use a Whole30 cookbook or a website specifically for whole food recipes. This ensures the recipe you are using is completely Whole30-approved. The reason you should include a good item or treat is because when on this type of diet, the recipient might get bummed by not having a lot of treats they can enjoy. It gives them something delicious they can actually have. There are lots of alternative variations of favorites, from ‘fudge’ to whole foods cookies.


Cookbook





You will find a lot of excellent cookbooks for people on a whole foods diet. There are a handful of official Whole30 cookbooks, including The30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom and The Whole30 Cookbook both by Melissa and Dallas Hartwig, the creators behind this diet. Then you can find cookbooks on general whole foods diet, such as 30 Day Whole Foods Cookbook by Olivia Starr. These books are all on Amazon, but you can also find books at other retailers as well.


Fitness Tracker



If you don’t mind spending a little more on the gift basket, you could always include a fitness tracker, such as a Fitbit. It doesn’t have to be this brand or this cost either; you will find a lot of excellent fitness trackers of various price ranges. Someone on the Whole30 diet might also be trying to lose weight and get healthy, so a fitness tracker is a good way for them to get started.

 

Thermos



An item you might not have thought of for a Whole3- gift basket is a thermos. The reason this is a good idea is because in the colder months, your friend or relative probably drinks quite a bit of broth or whole foods-approved soup. They can drink it on the go with the nice thermos you include in their gift basket. You can also add in some seasonings they can use to make their soup, such as little jars of pure flake salt or smoked chili pepper.

 

💃🎅 Anything catch your eye to give to your favorite Fitpreneurs?